Confidence ahead of industry showcase | Bangkok Post: tech

COMWORLD THAILAND

Apple's highly successful iPad and other tablet devices from Research In Motion (RIM) and other Android platforms will widen computer users' based, according to Wiroj Asawarungsri, Deputy Managing Director at The Aspirers Group, organiser of the ComWorld Thailand trade event to be staged on Sept 30-Oct 3 at Paragon Hall.

The iPad phenomenon has seen three million units sell in three months.

The availability of high-speed wireless, both 3G and WiMax, will help the iPad emerge on the Thai market, while cloud computing will spur take-up of mobile applications.

Furthermore, the increase in digital magazines and newspapers will introduce to the market the "Advertising 3.0" era of interactive marketing.

Online advertising has until now been based mostly on click-through rates but the interactive nature of advertising 3.0 is set to create more impulse demand among users.

The ComWorld event will tap hot technology trends by setting up an AppWorld zone, allowing members of The Association of Thai Software Industry (ATSI) to showcase their mobile applications, eBooks and tablet devices.

"Fifty SME software companies have joined the event True AppCenter will offer free downloadable applications and service to consumers," Wiroj said.

There will also be a highlight seminar by related agencies on advertising 3.0.

The event will also showcase affordable notebooks offering the latest technology, which uses core i3 and i5 processors from four leading IT brands. They will be offered at discount prices thanks to a special interest rate of 0.79 percent, compared to the average of 1.4 percent, over more than 36 months.

When divided into installments, buyers can purchase the new computer at a rate of less than 30 baht per day, although this promotion is limited to 10,000 units at the event. Interested parties can register at www.comworld thailand.com.

Wiroj also believes economic growth in the second half of the year will bring one million visitors to the event and realise a spend of 1.2 billion baht.

Currently, consumer spending accounts for around 60 percent of the overall market value of the IT industry, with Kasikorn Research estimating IT value will reach a growth of 88 billion baht growth on the previous year.